In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

The fact that Huang Rong could prepare dishes only once every few days, or even once a month or several months, to achieve such an exquisite level of skill clearly demonstrates the significant difference between them.

He can only copy; once he has tasted it once, he can replicate it.

Even the 'perfect version' of Longjing shrimp and fire roll ribs is just average.

But this is ultimately just copying, not surpassing.

The butcher left, completely convinced of his defeat.

Even though Zhang Xiaoshan outwardly showed a willingness to protect Huang Rong, Paoding knew he had truly made a miscalculation.

After Fu Nian and the others understood, their gazes toward Zhang Xiaoshan became serious.

Huang Rong could refine her culinary skills to perfection, and Zhang Xiaoshan could do the same with martial arts.

The Pure Yang Finger technique derived from the Pure Yang Limitless Skill, the Dragon-Slaying Saber technique comprehended from the Hundred Schools of Saber Techniques, and even the Taoist mental cultivation method practiced by the Zhang family women now clearly surpass ordinary Taoist divine skills and ultimate techniques.

People like that don't believe Zhang Xiaoshan only has the cards on the table.

If others already know your hand, is it still considered a hidden card?

"Master Xun, Master Fu Nian, it's been quite a while. If we don't eat now, the food will get cold!"

"Indeed, it would be a shame to let this delicious food get cold!"

Confucian scholars believe that food should be prepared with utmost care, and if it gets cold, it will not meet their dietary standards.

Especially since such delicious food tastes different when reheated, everyone stopped thinking about anything else and focused on eating.

Chapter 694 The Hidden Richest Man in Sanghai City—Little Sage Village

For Xun Qing, Fu Nian, and the others, the delicious food prepared by the butcher was an absolute delight.

You should know that before, the butcher had been hiding his skills and had maintained the level he had three years ago.

Although it was still at the level of a top chef, it was undoubtedly far inferior to the current level.

However, the Zhang family has no shortage of delicious food.

Even Lei Laowu only took a small bite and didn't act too impolitely.

It wasn't that the food was bad, but rather that it didn't suit his taste.

Having spent years traversing the dark and shadowy lands of the Nine Provinces, Lei Laowu always indulged in large amounts of wine, fish, and meat, or foods that replenished his qi and blood, to greatly enhance his yang energy and counteract the yin energy within the ancient tomb.

In addition to the Heavenly Crippled and Heaven-Defying Force he cultivated, Lei Laowu's diet became heavily focused on spicy and hot foods.

These dishes are delicious, but they are mainly light and refreshing.

Lei Laowu ate mostly ham-rolled pork ribs.

Another reason is that the Zhang family's cuisine is not limited by ingredients. No matter how exquisite the chef's skills are, they are far from being able to match the deliciousness brought by top-quality ingredients.

After all, the ingredients that Paoding used were all common and ordinary, and everyone had eaten these dishes countless times.

The Zhang family's capabilities often resulted in the production of top-tier ingredients that even a master chef had never seen before. In particular, the banquets hosted by Zhang Xiaoshan for Lei Laowu and others were elaborate and top-notch feasts.

Even Fu Nian and the others wouldn't have been surprised if Pao Ding hadn't displayed his exceptional skills today.

"Master, sir, Zizhong (Zijun) has eaten his fill, and I shall take my leave!"

The two boys ate a few bites and then ran out.

Compared to the serious atmosphere here, the classmates I just met yesterday are much easier to get along with.

Moreover, with the two little ones here, Zhang Xiaoshan couldn't really confront the Confucianists directly; he could only offer some words of explanation.

"Young master, are you not used to the food?"

Looking at the food that had barely been eaten, Fu Nian and the others couldn't help but sigh that with a chef of god-like skill, such top-notch cuisine could be wasted.

Confucianism emphasizes the refinement of food and the meticulous preparation of dishes, but top-notch chefs are hard to find.

Not to mention top-tier chefs at the level of culinary masters.

The reason why the butcher had previously concealed his skills was because his true identity had not been revealed.

Little did they know that the Zhang family already knew his identity, so they didn't hold back his culinary skills, which were at the level of a master chef.

"It must be the environment; children are naturally lively, but the atmosphere here is rather somber."

Xun Qing glanced at Fu Nian; in comparison, he preferred Zhang Liang's carefree attitude. At this moment, Zhang Xiaoshan couldn't help but smile faintly and apologize:

"They are spoiled at home and are often picky eaters. I hope you, esteemed teacher, will not be offended!"

"It's alright, kids are naturally lively."

Xun Qing smiled and shook his white head. He was not the rigid Fu Nian who followed the rules in everything he did. He treated his students with courtesy but was lifeless.

Such lively and active teenagers are full of energy and have a future.

However, Fu Nian's existence was not accidental; the scholarly atmosphere within Xiaoshengxianzhuang, coupled with the prevailing trend, contributed to this.

In contrast, the lineage of Fu Nian represents the true Confucian path.

···

"Zizhong, Zijun, what good food have you eaten?"

Back at the Three Provinces Study, everyone looked at Zizhong and Zijun with great curiosity.

Since Guanhailou opened, it has become the exclusive supplier for Xiaoshengxianzhuang Canteen. Although their food is just communal cooking, it is still extremely delicious.

Moreover, the layout of the Zhang family's home was no worse than what they ate at home, and perhaps even better.

As for the meals for instructors and teachers, those are truly custom-made lunch boxes by a master chef.

Compared to the cafeteria's mass-produced meals, it's not even in the same league.

"Nothing much, just pork ribs, shrimp, and tofu soup..."

Zizhong didn't mention the name of the dish, only a few ingredients.

Moreover, having grown accustomed to these delicacies at home, I didn't find the food I had just eaten particularly remarkable.

"Zijun, Zizhong, don't pretend to be innocent after you've gotten the benefits!"

It should be noted that the main course for the three gentlemen was a set meal specially ordered by Guanhailou, which cost at least ten gold coins.

And this was only because of the academy, a specially ordered special package. Otherwise, others might not even be able to get the three masters' package for 100 gold coins!

The one who stepped forward to debate was Zi Mao, a young man from a prominent family in Sanghai City, who was naturally aware of the scale of Guanhai Tower.

Even though his family was quite wealthy, they only ate a top-tier banquet on Guanhai Road once a year.

·········Requesting flowers·· 0

After all, a single purchase of nearly a hundred gold coins is not something an ordinary person can afford.

"So expensive, wouldn't a year at the academy cost tens of thousands of gold coins?"

The students looked at Zi Mao in shock. Even if they paid their tuition once a month, it might not be enough for the academy's food and drink expenses for a year, and that was under the condition that the other party was underestimating them.

Ziyu and Ziming were also shocked, never expecting that Xiaoshengxianzhuang would be so luxurious.

"It's not just tens of thousands of gold, but at least fifty thousand gold!"

If you include other miscellaneous costs, maintaining the Little Sage Manor for a year would cost approximately 100,000 gold coins.

Hiss...

Upon hearing this, everyone looked incredulously at Zi'an, who was quietly reading a book to the side.

..... ......... 0

What does 100,000 gold coins mean?

Within Sanghai City, even an annual income of a thousand gold pieces is considered that of a wealthy merchant. The consumption at Xiaoshengxianzhuang is equivalent to the annual income of Guanhailou.

"Zi'an, where does Xiaoshengxianzhuang get so much money to supply them?"

Ziyu's eyes gleamed with a strange light; from the very beginning, he had sensed that Zian was no ordinary person.

Moreover, this is not unfounded. Confucianism requires that food be prepared with utmost care and attention to detail, as evidenced by Zi Mao's revelation just now.

Moreover, the Xiaoshengxianzhuang's vast and elegant courtyard, the study of the Six Arts for gentlemen, the Hundred Herbs Garden, the library... none of these require enormous expenditures.

"Of course, it was earned. Although Confucian scholars do not engage in commerce, it does not mean they do not have capital."

A thousand-year-old tradition cannot be as simple as a mountain courtyard.

Moreover, as a sacred site of Confucianism, Xiaoshengxianzhuang, though not as welcoming as some monks, still receives a considerable amount of offerings each year, more than enough to cover this burden.

"I see!"

Everyone suddenly realized that they originally thought Guanhailou was the richest man in Sanghai City, but they didn't expect that Xiaoshengxianzhuang was the real hidden tycoon.

"Zi'an, how do you know so much?"

Ziyu and the others immediately looked at the boy with suspicion, their eyes showing wariness.

They almost exposed the true nature of Confucianism just now; if they hadn't come prepared, they wouldn't believe it.

"It's nothing. I used to travel around the Nine Provinces with my grandfather, collecting all sorts of interesting stories and anecdotes. I've seen a lot, so naturally I know a lot." (Li)

Chapter 695 The Zhang Family Departs, the Empire's Conquest Begins

"father!"

On the beach in Sanghai City, Zhang Sheng looked at his father, whom he hadn't seen for a long time, and his heart was filled with excitement.

Having traveled throughout the Nine Provinces since childhood, the experience is worlds apart from the life I envisioned having two more younger siblings.

However, he felt no hatred or indignation.

From a very young age, he knew that Zhang Xiaoshan's arrangements were for his experience and growth, so that he could have the right attitude towards people and things.

If he were to be trapped on an island forever, he might face a life that is the same day after day for ten years.

Rather than traveling the world and gaining extensive knowledge and experience.

Moreover, the Yizheng Shenren dispatched by Zhang Xiaoshan over the years have never lacked any resources.

At this point, he had already reached the peak of mastery of the Longevity Technique, and a breakthrough was only a matter of time before he would become a grandmaster in the martial arts world.

Moreover, the various unique skills he secretly practiced, such as the Nine Cauldrons Divine Skill, the Tathagata Palm, and the Pure Yang Divine Skill, made him no less powerful than the legendary grandmasters.

"I didn't expect you to come to Xiaoshengxianzhuang during this time. It is indeed a good place for further study."

Be careful of this old scholar, Xun Qing. His strength may not be that great, but his realm is extremely high, having reached the level of a Confucian sage. If he weren't so eager to compete for the "590" title, he would at least be at the eleventh level of the Pure Yang Divine Skill!

"Got it, Dad!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Sheng couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.

I never imagined that the old master, who was rumored to be unable to practice martial arts, would actually possess such a terrifying level of skill.

"Alright, don't worry about it too much."

Also, I have no intention of removing the restrictions on you at this time.

With your current aptitude, you should be able to reach the peak of the Seven Cauldrons realm in three years at most. Then, with the essence, energy, and spirit your grandfather passed down to you, you'll be able to overcome this hurdle without any obstacles.

"My child understands!"

The Nine Cauldrons Divine Skill was Zhang Sheng's trump card, possessing not only unparalleled defense but also terrifying offensive capabilities.

Especially as you progress, it becomes increasingly difficult to cultivate.

With the Zhang family's vast resources, he only needed five years to cultivate.

However, after reaching the Seven Cauldrons stage, it may take a year to advance to a single minor realm.

The Eight Cauldrons are even more elusive. Even Zhang Yuan, who is at the Grandmaster level and used a ten-thousand-year-old divine medicine to cleanse his marrow and tendons when he recovered his primordial energy, has only reached the mid-stage of the Eight Cauldrons realm in the past ten years.

Let alone the Nine Cauldrons Realm, which is still extremely distant, Zhang Yuan doesn't even know how long it would take to reach the peak of the Eight Cauldrons Realm.

After all, the Zhang family can afford to supply resources for those at the Seven Cauldrons Realm. Not to mention dragonfish meat, the gallbladder of the Bodhi snake, or thousand-year-old spiritual herbs, the resources are plentiful.

After reaching the Eight Cauldrons Realm, the required resources are at least ten times that of the Seven Cauldrons Realm, and the same applies to the Nine Cauldrons Realm.

"then!"

With a wave of his hand, Zhang Xiaoshan tossed a scroll of secret manual and a jar of old wine to Zhang Sheng.